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Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor
Alternate Names : Islet Cell Tumors, Islet of Langerhans Tumor, Neuroendocrine Tumors
DefinitionA pancreatic islet cell tumor is an uncommon tumor of the pancreas that arises from a distinct type of cell in the pancreas, the islet cell. Normally, islet cells produce insulin and other hormones, and islet cell tumors can also produce hormones.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
In the normal pancreas, cells called islet cells produce hormones that regulate a variety of bodily functions, such as blood sugar level and the production of stomach acid.
Tumors that arise from islet cells of the pancreas can also produce a variety of hormones, though some do not. Although islet cells produce many different hormones, most tumors secrete only one specific hormone that leads to specific symptoms. Pancreatic islet cell tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous).
Islet cell tumors include insulinomas, glucagonomas, and gastrinomas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). A family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I) is a risk factor for the development of islet cell tumors.
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• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) I
• Peptic Ulcer
• Tremor
• Tumor
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Tests & Exams
• Abdominal CT Scan
• Abdominal MRI
• Gastrin
• Glucagon
• Glucose Test
• Glucose Tolerance Test
• Hormone Levels
• Insulin C-Peptide
• Secretin Stimulation Test
Other Topics
• Abdominal Pain
• Appetite - Increased
• Benign
• Confusion
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Endocrine
• Headache
• Metastasis
• Pulse - Bounding
• Rashes
• Seizures
• Stress and Anxiety
• Sweating - Excessive
• Vomiting Blood
• Weight Gain - Unintentional
• Weight Loss - Unintentional
Review Date : 5/10/2002
Reviewed By : William Matsui, M.D., Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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